Harry Reid Will Not Seek Re-election in 2016

In a statement, the Nevada Democrat said the recovery period gave him to think about his political future.

“We have to make sure that the Democrats take control of the Senate again,” he said. “And I feel it is inappropriate for me to soak up all those resources on me when I could be devoting those resources to the caucus, and that’s what I intend to do.”

Reid, first elected to the Senate in 1986, was considered one of the most vulnerable Democrats in a swing state. He turned back a challenge in 2010 and was sure to face an aggressive, big-money attack by Republicans if he ran again.

We will be following up on this announcement here at Approaching Justice in the days to come.